Here are some ideas on how to defeat quarantine boredom and enjoy wintertime in Nijmegen and online.
Christmas time is approaching and the (not so) snowy season is underway. Now that it is December, most of us would usually spend a lot of time on Christmas parties, enjoying all the special family traditions that we have for this time of year or discovering what Nijmegen and its surroundings have to offer in winter – think ice skating, Christmas markets, lovely decorations and cold weather.
Since this year is different in so many aspects, not all of us might get the privilege of enjoying this time as usual. Visiting your family for the holidays has suddenly become equally impossible as meeting friends for a night of movies and Gluhwein. However hard this year might be, this is not a reason to despair! We have collected some ideas on what to do this winter so you can still enjoy the break from university the way you usually would – just a little different.
Digital ideas
- Zoom baking sessions
Cooking sessions via video calls seem to have become quite popular in recent months, and now it is time to bring out your favorite cooking recipes and share them with your friends! Simply share some recipes in advance so everyone has the ingredients ready and bake them in your own kitchen. You might not be able to offer each other a taste, but if you hold your phone close enough to the oven you can almost imagine what it might smell like… Of course, this works equally well for almost any other activity – try to make your own Christmas decorations or try out our Gluhwein recipes from page (insert page number).
- Watch some movies
December is the season of Blockbuster cinema releases. But who says that you can’t enjoy a movie with friends from around the planet in the comfort of your own home? Whether you go back to old classics or check out the newest Netflix hit – watching a movie or show together is very easily doable with today’s technology. And if your “seat neighbor” starts asking questions throughout the whole film, just put them on mute.
- Digital Secret Santa
Since you might not be able to surprise your friends with presents in person this year, why don’t you do a digital secret Santa? Here is how it goes: As usual, every person gets assigned one other person to get a little present. An amount of money (could be 0) is set and people start wondering what to get their gift recipient. This year, how about a new eBook to stop quarantine boredom? Or a personalized Spotify playlist with winter/ Christmas songs (from your home country?) that you think they might like? Get creative!
In Person
- Try out all the sweet Dutch winter specialties
Oliebollen: Balls of fried dough with raisins and sugar that you can find in pop-up stands all over the country. Hopefully, we will be able to get these delicious snacks this year.
Pepernoten: While not only sold in Winter these are a good to know snack the entire year around, and personally, I think they have something very Christmassy in them. In any case, if you have not tried them yet, you definitely should.
(Gevulde) Speculaas: Typical cookie that includes all spices connected to Winter – often found in different shapes. There also is a version filled with marzipan – yummy!
- Go walking/ Get outdoors
Hiking is a nice activity in summer and winter alike. While the Netherlands might not offer you the experience of getting to the top of high mountains, there still are a lot of nice natural places across the country, including around Nijmegen. A stroll through one of the many parks or along the river Waal can be a nice way to destress from everything that’s going on.
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